The Nantucket Conservation Foundation (NCF) and Woodwell Climate Research Center are partnering to host a special event exploring how science and stewardship can work together to advance practical climate solutions on Nantucket Island. The event takes place on Thursday, July 23 at NCF headquarters, 118 Cliff Road, beginning with a reception at 5 pm and a discussion at 6 pm.
Woodwell Climate Research Center is a leading independent climate research institution based in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Their Climate Conversations series brings together scientists, community members, and thought leaders for discussions about climate change and its local impacts. This event marks the first “On the Road” edition of the series, bringing the conversation to Nantucket.
“NCF’s strength has always been connecting rigorous science with hands-on stewardship of its conservation properties,” said NCF President & CEO Cormac Collier. “Partnering with Woodwell Climate Research Center allows us to deepen that work, collaborate with their renowned scientists on a regional level, and share results directly with the community. We hope this event sparks conversation about the real, tangible climate and conservation work happening right here on Nantucket.”
“Bringing Climate Conversations to Nantucket felt like a natural fit,” said Dr. Max Holmes, President and CEO of Woodwell Climate Research Center. “The work NCF is doing on the ground, from wetland restoration to coastal resilience, is exactly the kind of science-driven action that can make a real difference. We’re excited to connect with the Nantucket community and explore what it looks like when research and stewardship come together in one place.”
The evening will begin with a conversation between Dr. Holmes and Collier, followed by a panel discussion featuring Woodwell scientist Dr. Chris Neill alongside NCF scientists Karen Beattie, Vice President of Science & Stewardship; Dr. Emily Junkins, Coastal Wetlands Research Ecologist; and Kelly Omand, Plant Research Ecologist and Botanist. Together, they will share insights from collaborative work in grassland management, wetland and bog restoration, coastal resilience, carbon storage, and landscape-scale monitoring — highlighting how local action grounded in rigorous science can deliver tangible climate and conservation impacts on Nantucket and beyond.
“Our research team works every day to ensure that the conservation and land stewardship decisions we make on our properties are grounded in the best available science,” said Karen Beattie, NCF Vice President of Science & Stewardship. “This event is an opportunity to share that work with the broader community and learn from our colleagues at Woodwell about how it connects to the much larger picture of climate resilience.”
“Some of the most meaningful climate work happens at the local level, in the choices we make about how we manage our coasts, our wetlands, and our landscapes,” said Dr. Chris Neill, Woodwell Climate Research Center. “NCF’s restoration work on Nantucket is a strong example of that, and I’m looking forward to discussing how these efforts contribute to both ecosystem health and climate solutions.”
The event is free and offered in-person only. Registration is available at the Woodwell website.